Post by whcaprice on Sept 9, 2007 17:16:24 GMT 9.5
Holden Torana HB
“You're watching an exciting new car… Torana's a car that dares to be different.” Or so says the May ‘67 television commercial for the HB Torana. This was the era that developed the two-car household in Australia – in other words, the era in which motorists were searching for an economical price tag and smaller bodied cars.
General Motors–Holden already had the compact Vauxhall HA Viva on the market (introduced in 1964), and they were due to release the HB Viva that year. However, the decision was made to increase local content under the Holden badge, and thus the Holden Torana HB was born.
The Viva was angular and boxy to look at, and had a more than problematic character. The Torana, on the other hand, was a slightly more sleek design with a roomy interior, and it was well accepted at the time. By 1967 standards, it performed adequately enough. It did not; however, live up to its name and fly.
Only the one body style was available – the two door sedan – with three trim levels. Standard fittings included a heater, boot light, carpet, temperature gauge, glove box light, and glove box lock. The price leader in trim was the standard Torana, which offered front bucket seats with seatbelts, an external rear view mirror, Sadlon vinyl upholstery and floor mats in black rubber. The Torana S trim included a parcel tray, assist straps, courtesy light door switches, door armrests, rear ashtrays, coat hooks, colour matched rubber floor mats, and color matched steering wheel. The Torana SL was a step up again – wood grain finished glove box, instrument face, and horn bar. In another first for Holden, the suspension on all models was a four link setup, with rack and pinion steering up front.
The HB was powered by an 1159cc four cylinder OHV engine, with a four speed floor shift gearbox. Initially, the 56bhp engine was the only available option, until late 1967 with the introduction of the Brabham version. Named after legendary Australian race driver, Sir Jack Brabham, the version was a sports package, so to speak (as any sporting pretense was robbed due to the fitting of a standard motor!)
The Brabham included twin carburetors, available only on the S and SL models, essentially retuning the same basic engine to a 79bhp output. Other inclusions with the Brabham version were power front disc brakes, a lower ratio (4.125:1) differential, and four inch road wheels. The Brabham Toranas were marked with speedy style features including a GT stripe (centre), decals on the front guards, mahogany gear knob with motif, and a blacked out rear tail light panel.
In early 1968, the Series 70 engine was also introduced and was available for all three models. It provided a basic engine upgrade to a 69bhp output using a side draught carburetor. This series also came with power front disc brakes, four inch road wheels, and it was marked on the trunk with a checkered square.
In September 1968, Holden began marketing the HB Series 2 as the “1969 Torana”. (The previous model is occasionally referred to as the Series 1 in order to differentiate it, although this was not standard Holden practice at the time). HB Series 2 was only a minor upgrade of the first HB, and the two were almost identical in appearance. Holden introduced the four door S sedan and the four door SL sedan. The four door body was exhibited an increase in body strength for the vehicle, and it was developed in Australia.
Exterior changes to the Series 2 included a single number plate on the rear bumper, whilst in Series 1 there were two number plates on the rear. Some badges were added, others were relocated, and a pinstripe was used on the SL model.
Interior changes between the series included round, recessed instruments, and a collapsible steering column. The use of dual circuit braking signaled a major safety upgrade for the series.
The Brabham version for the Series 2, however, became separate model available only in a two door option. Comprehensive instruments were included in the Brabham version, including a tachometer, oil pressure, fuel, water temperature, and amp gauges. Externally, the nose was striped, as was the sill, with blacked out tail light panels and window frames.
All up, the production of the HB Torana reached the number of 36,561. Despite Holden’s advertising claims, and despite the connection to Sir Jack Brabham, the Torana HB was not all that exciting or illustrious. It was, however, a distinct improvement on its predecessor, the Vauxhall HA, and it provided a decent starting point from which the Torana family could only fly.
“You're watching an exciting new car… Torana's a car that dares to be different.” Or so says the May ‘67 television commercial for the HB Torana. This was the era that developed the two-car household in Australia – in other words, the era in which motorists were searching for an economical price tag and smaller bodied cars.
General Motors–Holden already had the compact Vauxhall HA Viva on the market (introduced in 1964), and they were due to release the HB Viva that year. However, the decision was made to increase local content under the Holden badge, and thus the Holden Torana HB was born.
The Viva was angular and boxy to look at, and had a more than problematic character. The Torana, on the other hand, was a slightly more sleek design with a roomy interior, and it was well accepted at the time. By 1967 standards, it performed adequately enough. It did not; however, live up to its name and fly.
Only the one body style was available – the two door sedan – with three trim levels. Standard fittings included a heater, boot light, carpet, temperature gauge, glove box light, and glove box lock. The price leader in trim was the standard Torana, which offered front bucket seats with seatbelts, an external rear view mirror, Sadlon vinyl upholstery and floor mats in black rubber. The Torana S trim included a parcel tray, assist straps, courtesy light door switches, door armrests, rear ashtrays, coat hooks, colour matched rubber floor mats, and color matched steering wheel. The Torana SL was a step up again – wood grain finished glove box, instrument face, and horn bar. In another first for Holden, the suspension on all models was a four link setup, with rack and pinion steering up front.
The HB was powered by an 1159cc four cylinder OHV engine, with a four speed floor shift gearbox. Initially, the 56bhp engine was the only available option, until late 1967 with the introduction of the Brabham version. Named after legendary Australian race driver, Sir Jack Brabham, the version was a sports package, so to speak (as any sporting pretense was robbed due to the fitting of a standard motor!)
The Brabham included twin carburetors, available only on the S and SL models, essentially retuning the same basic engine to a 79bhp output. Other inclusions with the Brabham version were power front disc brakes, a lower ratio (4.125:1) differential, and four inch road wheels. The Brabham Toranas were marked with speedy style features including a GT stripe (centre), decals on the front guards, mahogany gear knob with motif, and a blacked out rear tail light panel.
In early 1968, the Series 70 engine was also introduced and was available for all three models. It provided a basic engine upgrade to a 69bhp output using a side draught carburetor. This series also came with power front disc brakes, four inch road wheels, and it was marked on the trunk with a checkered square.
In September 1968, Holden began marketing the HB Series 2 as the “1969 Torana”. (The previous model is occasionally referred to as the Series 1 in order to differentiate it, although this was not standard Holden practice at the time). HB Series 2 was only a minor upgrade of the first HB, and the two were almost identical in appearance. Holden introduced the four door S sedan and the four door SL sedan. The four door body was exhibited an increase in body strength for the vehicle, and it was developed in Australia.
Exterior changes to the Series 2 included a single number plate on the rear bumper, whilst in Series 1 there were two number plates on the rear. Some badges were added, others were relocated, and a pinstripe was used on the SL model.
Interior changes between the series included round, recessed instruments, and a collapsible steering column. The use of dual circuit braking signaled a major safety upgrade for the series.
The Brabham version for the Series 2, however, became separate model available only in a two door option. Comprehensive instruments were included in the Brabham version, including a tachometer, oil pressure, fuel, water temperature, and amp gauges. Externally, the nose was striped, as was the sill, with blacked out tail light panels and window frames.
All up, the production of the HB Torana reached the number of 36,561. Despite Holden’s advertising claims, and despite the connection to Sir Jack Brabham, the Torana HB was not all that exciting or illustrious. It was, however, a distinct improvement on its predecessor, the Vauxhall HA, and it provided a decent starting point from which the Torana family could only fly.